More Information

Let's hope that in not too many years Michael Sam will be known more for his talent on the football field and less for being the first openly gay player drafted in NFL history.

The St. Louis Rams called his name late in the seventh round; he was the 249th player drafted out of 256 picks. We may never know whether it was his sexual orientation or persistent questions about his height and quickness that resulted in the SEC Defensive Player of the Year falling so close to the end.

The fact is the Rams picked him when they easily could have avoided the attention and controversy. And, presumably, they picked him on his potential as a player. That's the way it should be in pro football, as in every walk of life.

Sam has wedged his foot in the door. Now he must perform well enough to make the team and remain employed. In pro football, there are no promises; late-round picks like Sam face long odds.

Being a gay newcomer probably will make for greater challenges. A few months ago, punter Chris Kluwe said coaches taunted him with homophobic language and pushed him out of his Minnesota Vikings spot after he spoke in support of same-sex marriage. Jonathan Vilma, a New Orleans Saints linebacker, strongly suggested that he did not want a gay teammate. That element of the league — and of broader society — revealed itself in derisive Twitter traffic this weekend after an emotional Sam kissed his boyfriend in celebration.

It remains to be seen how the NFL culture reacts to Sam's place in it. He seemingly knows the challenges of being both a social pioneer and a football player.

And St. Louis is a good spot for him. He played for the nearby University of Missouri, and Rams head coach Jeff Fisher previously coached a player known to be gay to some teammates but who didn't come out until his career was over. "In the world of diversity we live in now, I'm honored to be a part of this and I'm excited about his opportunity to help this football team win," Fisher said on ESPN.